Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/501762
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m M a y - J u n e 2 015 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 7 5 s t h e p l a n e a n g l e d e a r t h w a r d t o w a r d Lubbock, I glanced up from my book and wondered for a split second if we were flying into a parallel universe. Below stretched a crazy landscape resembling an abstract expressionist work of art, whose gigantic geometric patterns were painted in shades of ochre and reddish-brown. But this was no hallucinatory landscape, it was miles and miles of Texas High Plains farmland, where parched fields of corn, cotton, pea- nuts, sorghum and occasional vine- yards are laid out in tidy squares and rectangles intersected by crop cir- cles watered by center-pivot irriga- tion systems. As I would soon learn, this first impression of the High Plains glimpsed through the air- plane's hazy window was, in its own abstract way, a visual introduction to two of the region's most pressing concerns: drought and water. The High Plains AVA hugs New M e x i c o a n d O k l a h o m a o n t h e northern slice of Texas known as the Panhandle. Tilting gently westward, this enormous, flat mesa is home to a large portion of the Texas' vineyards. This semi- take a shower." Cox, who's been planting and managing vineyards in this region since 1973, is widely viewed as the godfather of wine- growing in the High Plains. With a resume that includes running Texas A&M University's research vine- yard, stints in wine sales and as a sommelier, plus extensive travel arid region is buffeted by chronic winds, choked by sand and dust storms, stifled by dry air and soar- ing temperatures, and parched due to diminishing water supplies. "You don't see many green lawns around here," winegrower and vineyard consultant Bobby Cox pointed out. "People would rather + The High Plains region is Texas' second-largest AVA, producing 70% of its wine grapes. + Traditionally an agricultural land of cotton, sorghum, peanuts and other row crops, the region is now seeing an increasing transi- tion to viticulture. + Diminishing water supplies and recent ruinous freezes are the region's greatest challenges. + Growers are experimenting with many grape varieties, with Tempranillo and Viog- nier showing promise. AT A GLANCE For Powdery Mildew and Mite control, grape growers have a choice: JMS Stylet-Oil alternative to early-season sulfur treatment. tOutperforms sulfur as an eradicant on powdery mildew - University researched and rated 10/10. t+.44tylet-Oil is a stand-alone product for powdery mildew. tEliminates early season inoculum growth that can cause late-season epidemics. tUnlike sulfur+.44tylet-Oil works well in cool weather, protects around the clock, and harmlessly degrades without potential air pollution. Apply this clean white oil early for mite control throughout the season. +.4 4tylet-Oil is now available in its conven- tional formulation or an organic formula- UJPOUIBUJT0.3*MJTUFEGPSVTFJOBO organic prPHSBN$POUBDU+.4GPS complete information and product data. 4S[HIV]1MPHI[# 1MXIW# Headquarters 4423 5th PMBDF48 Vero Beach, FL 32968 .PCJMF FBY styletoil@aol.com www.stylet-oil.com 8illiams Lane PFOEMFUPO03 0ïDF FBY styletoil@eoni.com JMS Stylet-Oil ® Choice